Self-Help and Wellbeing information

Local Services

Child Health Advice

When should I worry?

Having an ill child can be a very scary experience for parents. If you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control. This booklet is for parents (and older children) and deals with common infections in children who are normally healthy. 
Little-Orange-Book.pdf

Info for ‘What do I do if my child has a fever?’:

The Bham Childrens Hospital have provided some fantastic videos on how to manage different children symptoms and illnesses:

Birmingham children’s hospital videos

Child Safety

If you are worried, or have any concerns about a child or a young person who you think may be abused, neglected or harmed, please contact:

• Solihull MASH Team on 0121 788 4300. If you are calling out of hours, call the emergency duty team on 0121 605 6060.

• Birmingham Children’s Advice & Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888. If you are calling out of working hours, call the emergency duty team on 0121 675 4806.

Childhood illness guides

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: Rashes in babies and children

Glass test:

uk conditions/meningitis/symptoms

Healthier Together:

Worried your child is unwell 2-18

Worried your baby is unwell 0-2

Includes advice in other languages

Vaccination planner

One of the best ways to protect your baby against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisation. Your baby needs their first injections at eight weeks, then 12 weeks, 16 weeks and one year.

Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK – just book your appointments with your GP. Remember, as well as protecting your own baby, you’re also protecting other babies and children by preventing the spread of disease.

Download from: Vaccination guide

Circumcisions

There are a range of CQC registered circumcision practitioners who can perform operations in Birmingham and Solihull, or in other areas. For their details, please visit www.cqc.org.uk/search and type in “circumcision” and the area or location.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse can take many forms, including:

  • Emotional abuse can include calling someone names, criticizing them constantly or threatening them
  • Financial abuse can mean restricting someone’s access to money or making them account for every penny they spend
  • Abuse can also take the form of physical violence

If you or someone else is in immediate danger please call 999 and ask for the police.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing Domestic Abuse and are under quarantine amid the coronavirus outbreak, local and national organisation’s want you to know: You are not alone, and help is still available.

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid  

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Victim Support

Adult Social Care

  • Phone:  0121 704 8007 or 0121 605 6060

National Domestic Violence Helpline

National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline

  • Phone: 0800 999 5428

Rape Crisis England and Wales

  • Phone: 0808 802 9999

Men’s Advice Line

  • Phone: 0808 801 0327

Victim Support

Bereavement Advice

Solihull Bereavement Service

Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service has a team of dedicated professionals and trained volunteers who provide a sensitive service for people living or working in Solihull.

If you would like some help, please contact the office Monday to Friday 9:30–4:30

Telephone: 0121 424 5103

Cruse Bereavement Services

Cruse offers face-to-face and telephone support. Services are provided by trained volunteers and are confidential and free. 

The opening hours for the telephone support are:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Tuesday, Thursday:  9.00am – 8.00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday:  12.00pm – 5.00pm (from 1 June 2020)

Telephone:Cruse Birmingham: 0121 687 8010 / National Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Email: enquiries@crusebirmingham.co.uk

Website:http://www.crusebirmingham.co.uk

Elderly Care Advice

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

NHS England

Read the NHS England information for care and support regarding the elderly: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/clinical-policy/older-people/

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day. For help with feelings of isolation, loneliness or worry.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Drugs & Alcohol Advice

Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS)

SIAS is a partnership of organisations that work closely together to offer easy access to appropriate support and treatment for individuals whose drug or alcohol use, or gambling has become problematic. They also offer support to their families and friends.

 0121 301 4141

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Email: help@aamail.org

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Drinkaware Online Tools & Apps

Online trackers and apps from Drinkaware to help you avoid harm from alcohol.

Download from: www.drinkaware.co.uk

 

One You Days Off: Mobile App

The One You Days Off app is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

One You Drinks Tracker: Mobile App

Drinking a bit too much can sneak up on you. Our free drinks tracker app makes it easy to keep an eye on the booze and take control with daily tips and feedback.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Carers Advice

COVID 19 Support

Solihull Council, in partnership with Carers Trust Solihull, have set up an emergency fund to support family carers struggling during the Covid-19 crisis.  

The fund, which is being administered by the Carers Trust Solihull, is for unpaid/family carers who are at the point of crisis and need help with essentials when no other solutions are available.  The fund will be capped at £250 per carer and may also be accessed by young carers supporting family members who require items such as learning resources or access to internet-based support groups.

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.

Solihull Carers

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 0121 788 1143

Website: www.carersuk.org

NHS Links

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

  • Benefits for the under-65s
    Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
  • Benefits for the over-65s
    Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
  • Carer’s Assement
    How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
  • Other benefits
    Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

Eye Care

Emergency Eye Clinic

For eye injuries or sudden changes in vision.

Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre:

The Eye Emergency Department at BMEC provides an emergency service for adults and children.

0121 507 4440

Minor Eye clinic

For conditions such as red eyes, dry eyes, inflammation of the eyes, discharge from the eye, sticky eyes, etc.

COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES). This is an NHS service provided by Primary Eyecare Services Ltd.

Patients can self-refer into the service. Find a practice in Birmingham and Solihull and the surrounding areas, which is participating in CUES. 

Sexual Health

Umbrella Health

Umbrella provide sexual health services in Bham and Solihull. Services include STI self-sampling kits, contraception services, HIV testing, Psychosexual services and more. Please see website in the link above or call below.

0121 237 5700

Family Planning Association

They are a sexual health charity. They give straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 0300 1237123

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Mental Health

Solihull Mind & Rethink

Solihull Mind

Provides a number of services for people requiring emotional support, including:

  • a seven day a week drop in service for anyone struggling with mental health issues, with lunch available for a small charge on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • a women only drop in on a Friday afternoon between 1.00pm and 3.00pm
  • a support group for women experiencing domestic violence

You can contact Solihull Mind by:

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Email: info@rethink.org

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Green Spaces

Spending some time outside of the house can help with mental health. Some fresh air and light excersize such as walking can improve mental wellbeing  There are a number of green spaces within Solihull that you can visit:

In Solihull, therapies are provided by the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service for people with mild, moderate and moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression.

You can refer yourself by:

Maternity Advice

Breastfeeding

We have made some resources available below to help with your journey and make sure you get you family off to the best start!

For more information follow this Start4Life link from the NHS for all your Pregnancy, Baby, Toddler & breastfeeding needs.

Some handy downloadable guides are below and a link to their 24/7 advice service:

Information for parents prior to childhood vaccinations

COVID 19 update: NHS England is urging people to attend all regular vaccination appointments to prevent outbreaks of serious disease. Vaccines prevent conditions which cause much more harm to young children than COVID 19. Your family’s safety is paramount and your appointment will be at a protected site in GPS Healthcare. We wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect everybody involved. 

Please click here for more on what will happen on the day of the vaccine appointment.

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com/

Download from: apps.apple.com/

Smoking Advice

NHS Smoke free: Mobile App

The Smoke free app can help you stop smoking by providing daily support and motivation. If you stay smoke free for the 4-week programme you’re up to five times more likely to stay quit for good.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/

Men’s Health

Should I have a Prostate PSA blood test?

There are pros and cons to having this test. Please see attached document and NHS information below.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/psa-testing

Local Vasectomy Service

The local vasectomy service is provided by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS Birmingham South. There is no need to visit your GP first, you can self-refer by calling 03457 30 40 30, or email info@bpas.org.

Teenagers and Young People

Emotional and Wellbeing Support for Young People

At least 10% of young people between the ages of 5-16 years old have issues with their emotional wellbeing or mental health at some point.  It can be really helpful to talk about how you are feeling and there are lots of different types of support available, we have suggested some organisations below.

Sometimes people find it easier to open up about feelings when talking to someone online or via text so we have included those options too in case that feels more comfortable. 

There are also some useful App’s that you can download that might help you cope with some of the more difficult feelings.

Websites

Kooth
www.kooth.com
This is an online counselling and emotional wellbeing support for young people, available until 2200 at night.

Solar
www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/solar-youth-services/
This is Solihull’s emotional wellbeing and mental health service for young people aged 0-19.  You or your carer can make a referral directly via their website.

Young Minds
www.youngminds.org.uk
This is a charity that offers support to young people facing a range of issues including mental health issues, anger, bullying, abuse or problems at school. They have a free 24/7 text message service if you feel you are in crisis ( text YM to 85258) and lots of useful information on their website. They also have a parents helpline 0808 802 5544.

Stem4
www.stem4.org.uk
This is a teenage mental health charity which offers lots of information and practical support suggestions on their website.

Apps

There is lots of evidence that practicing mindfulness for a few minutes every day can really help with emotional wellbeing.  There are a couple of free App’s that offer short guided mindfulness meditations that last about 10 minutes, you might like to try them! All you have to do is plug in your headphones and listen.

Headspace App

Calm App (also has some modules that can help with sleep)

If you are struggling with feelings around self harm:

Calm Harm – free to download, self help advice to deal with those feelings and practical advice to help you distract and reduce the desire to self harm.

Crisis

If you are in a crisis situation and your feelings are becoming overwhelming or you are worried you are going to hurt yourself then you can contact:

Childline: 0800 1111 

Emergency services: 999

Or you can go directly to your local AE department who will be able to arrange help and support for you​.

NHS Health and Cancer Screening

What are screening tests?


Screening tests check to see if you have a disease or condition before you have any symptoms of it. The idea is that a problem is picked up before it develops, or in the very early stages. In this way, certain diseases can be prevented before they ever occur, or treated before they start causing any problems.

Not all conditions have suitable tests which allow them to be detected early, and not all conditions can be treated successfully even if they are picked up. So only certain conditions are part of our national screening programmes

Here is a summary of the screening programmes taken from the NHS Website:

Diabetic Eye Screening


  • From the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual Diabetic Eye Test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Cervical Screening


  • Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 25 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.
  • Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer.

Breast Screening


  • Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer.
  • You can contact the Public Health England (PHE) Screening Helpdesk if you have any questions about breast screening practice or policy on 020 3682 0890.

Bowel Cancer Screening


  • Everyone aged 60 to 74 is offered a Bowel Cancer screening home test kit every 2 years.
  • If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening


  • AAA screening is offered to men during the screening year (1 April to 31 March) that they turn 65 to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (a dangerous swelling in the aorta). Men over 65 can self-refer.

PSA Testing


  • There’s currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.
  • PSA tests are unreliable and can suggest prostate cancer when no cancer exists (a false-positive result)
  • Click here for more information

Musculoskeletal

This is the number to call to self-refer to the physiotherapy department: 0121 329 0107

Back pain & Sciatica

Back pain is very common and in most cases, it is not due to a serious disease or serious back problem. The usual advice is to keep active and do normal activities as much as possible. Painkillers can help until the pain eases. In most cases, the pain disappears within six weeks.

Click here for NHS back pain advice

Click here for back pain physiotherapy exercises.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can often be treated at home. You should start to feel better in a few days. See a GP if the pain is very bad or lasts a long time.

Click here for NHS advice.

Click here for physiotherapy exercises.

Hip Pain

Hip problems are pretty common. The cause may be obvious, like an injury that comes on suddenly while playing sports. In the first instance you can try the conservative measures using the links below. 

Click here for NHS advice.

Click here for physiotherapy exercises.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting 8.5 million people in the UK. It develops gradually over time, causing joints to become stiff and painful. It can affect any joint but commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine.

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people who are over 50 years of age, and it is more common in women than in men. It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not true. Younger people can also be affected by osteoarthritis, often as a result of an injury or another joint condition.

Useful Links

Arthritis Research UK
Arthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis.

NHS
Guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks of Osteoarthritis from the NHS

Weight Management Advice

Local Support

Solihull Active is a campaign which aims to promote participation in sport and physical activiy to imporve your health and fitness. There are a wide range of opportunities in solihull that can help you be more active and get into shape.

They have activities and advice for a range of people including:

  • Young people and Children
  • Adults
  • Elderly
  • Those with disabilities

Find out more about what they have to offer on their website

https://www.solihullactive.co.uk

One You Couch to 5K: Mobile App

The Couch to 5K app has been designed to get you off the couch and running in just 9 weeks. Grab your trainers, download the app and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

One You Easy Meals: Mobile App

The free Easy Meals app is a great way to eat foods that are healthier for you. You’ll find delicious, easy meal ideas to help get you going if you’re ever short of inspiration.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Better Health Let’s do this!

Lose Weight!

If you’re overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds.

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight

Womens Health

Unplanned Pregnancy

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is the UK’s leading abortion service. It has over 70 clinics nationwide and helps around 88,000 women every year. It offers medical (abortion pill) and surgical abortion up to 24 weeks gestation.

The BPAS abortion service includes the following:

  • Consultation – includes full medical assessment, and pregnancy advice and counselling  
  • Medical or surgical abortion treatment
  • Contraception review, supply and fit – methods include pill, patch, ring, injection coil, hormonal coil (Mirena, Levosert and Jaydess) and implant
  • Chlamydia and HIV testing
  • Aftercare

More information:

Menopause & HRT

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51. However, around 1 in 100 women experience the menopause before 40 years of age. 

Please click here to see some useful resources from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust. 

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.

You can book your appointment in designated clinics with our nurses.

Breastfeeding

We have made some resources available below to help with your journey and make sure you get you family off to the best start!

For more information follow this Start4Life link from the NHS for all your Pregnancy, Baby, Toddler & breastfeeding needs.

Some handy downloadable guides are below and a link to their 24/7 advice service:

Bump Services

If you have a positive pregnancy test you can now make your own online self-referral for your maternity care, without needing to see a doctor or nurse at the practice.

Our practice is now registered and listed on the online referral portal, so all you need to do, to refer for your maternity care is click on the secure link below and provide the information requested. You will need your NHS number and the name of the practice, with which you must be registered. Important that the correct NHS number is entered to avoid delays in accessing care. Below is the national link for getting a text message with your NHS number as long as you input the contact details you have used to register with the GP.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number

You can also find your NHS number on your NHS App.

The information you provide will be used to process your referral by both the community maternity team assigned to our practice and the booking office of your chosen hospital within Birmingham and Solihull. A copy of your referral will also be shared with us, as your GP Practice, for information.

Click on this link or type into your browser using your mobile phone or digital device (laptop/ computer) https://www.badgernotes.net/SelfReferral/CareLocation/BUMP – it is quick and easy and will just take a few minutes. This link can also be used to refer a pregnancy on behalf of someone else, providing you have her consent.

IMPORTANT: You need to search for the GP practice site by the POSTCODE in the drop-down list to complete your SPA portal referral. Your referral can only be processed based on the information you provide and can delay your care if incorrect information is provided.


You will be able to select from a number of hospitals to provide your antenatal care and for the birth of your baby; we have a number of birthing facilities:

Hospitals sites include:Review websites for further information
UHB – Good Hope Hospitalhttps://hgs.uhb.nhs.uk/good-hope-hospital/
UHB – Birmingham Heartlands Hospitalhttps://hgs.uhb.nhs.uk/obstetrics-heartlands-hospital/
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitalhttps://bwc.nhs.uk/maternity 

If you would like to refer to any other hospital then please speak with your community midwife at your first ante-natal booking appointment or contact your GP.

Useful information: to support you throughout your pregnancy
Information guides on all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour, and birth.https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/
The Ask the Midwife – a  live zoom session hosted by consultant midwives, Health Visitors, and clinical staff to answer questions on pregnancy, birth and caring for your baby.https://yourbump.nhs.uk/ask-the-midwife/
Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) a team of people who provide feedback about local maternity systems to a panel of maternity health professionals from service users on co-production to improve services.https://gatewayfs.org/our-work/health-and-wellbeing-services/maternity-voices-partnerships-mvps/
Bump (Birmingham & Solihull United Maternity and Newborn Partnership). Uniting maternity services; in Birmingham and Solihull to improve your maternity experience. Together Bump partners offer you personalised care, with more choice about your care – for both you and your baby.Local Maternity and Neonatal System :: Birmingham and Solihull ICS (birminghamsolihullics.org.uk)

The community midwifery team assigned to your GP Practice will contact you by the time you are Eight to Ten weeks pregnant, or within 2 weeks of receiving your referral, however if you do not hear from the team, by then, please contact the midwife directly via the details listed below:

Community Midwife Office – BHH/ SOL contact details:

0121 424 2726 between 10am – 12non or 2pm – 4pm Mon-Fri

One of the team members will contact you once your referral is processed. If you have any technical problems using the web address please email project.bump@nhs.net

Conditions that can be managed at home or with your chemist

Click below for some fact sheets for common conditions that can be managed at home or with your chemist: